According to initial data from the Department of Statistics and the Department of Agricultural Registers and Information (PRIA), the area of agricultural land in use this year was 983,400 hectares, which is 4,400 hectares less than in 2023. The area of both arable land and land for fruit trees and berry orchards has decreased slightly. The long-term trend towards a reduction in the area of potato cultivation continues: this year the potato area is 8% less than last year. :format(webp)/nginx/o/2024/07/09/16210700t1h44ec.jpg)
Potato. Photo: Urmas Luik
According to initial data from the Department of Statistics and the Department of Agricultural Registers and Information (PRIA), the area of agricultural land in use this year was 983,400 hectares, which is 4,400 hectares less than in 2023. The area of both arable land and land for fruit trees and berry orchards has decreased slightly. The long-term trend towards a reduction in the area of potato cultivation continues: this year the potato area is 8% less than last year.
Leading analyst at the Department of Statistics Ege Kirs noted that potatoes are grown on 3,200 hectares, of which, according to calculations, 250 hectares are grown in households. “Ten years ago, potatoes were grown on an area almost twice as large, i.e. on 6,300 hectares, and 20 years ago – on an area as much as five times larger,” Kearse clarified.
According to initial data, cereals are grown on 350,000 hectares, which is 1% less than in 2023. Wheat is grown on 173,300 hectares, barley on 95,300, oats on 48,300 and rye on 18,300 hectares. The area under cultivation of barley decreased by 15%, the area under cultivation of oats increased by 35%, and the area of rye by 8%. Compared to last year, fewer winter grain crops were sown, and more spring crops.
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Photo: Statistikaamet
According to initial data, legumes are grown on 60,500 hectares, which is 13% more than a year earlier. This is the largest area of legumes in the last seven years. The area of rapeseed and oilseed turnips decreased by 23% compared to 2023 and this year amounted to 60,200 hectares. The reduction in the area under rapeseed and oilseed turnips is due to a significant decrease in winter rapeseed and oilseed turnips.
The strawberry growing area this year was 530 hectares, which is 5% less than last year. The area for fruit trees and berry orchards is 3,900 hectares, which is 2% less, and the area for vegetables grown in open ground is 1,650 hectares, which is 5% more than last year. The area for Swiss chard and other less common vegetable crops has increased.
The initial cropping area data is based on crop acreage recorded in PRIA at the end of June. In addition, agricultural land in use also includes 2,900 hectares (0.3%) of the area used for growing agricultural products in garden plots.